Out of all of the different ideas and suggestions regarding citizenship for undocumented peoples in the news and in the government, I agree that citizenship through education or military service offers the best solution that Americans can hope for. Not only would these students, most brought to America without any voice in the matter, gain an education in the most advanced country in the world, they would also provide the country with a desperately needed economic boost. As our economy continues to lag, educational attainment from current and possibly future citizens offers one of the viable solutions to both immigration reform as well as economic stability. As a citizen against amnesty for all undocumented peoples in America, I view legislation such as the DREAM Act as a definite way to earn American citizenship.
That said, I continue to believe that we must continue to strengthen our emphasis on legal means of immigration. According to a Pew report, 300,000 illegal immigrants entered the United States annually from 2007 to 2009. This number is a very steep drop from previous years, but further protection must be placed at our borders, whether we attain that through increased troops from the National Guard and/or from more fencing, to reward those that enter our country legally. Each year, people achieve citizenship through legal means and students receive legal visas to study in the United States. While it may be difficult to obtain entrance into the United States through these means, the process protects the laws already in place.
Our government realizes that immigration reform is necessary in regards to both future immigration as well as those undocumented immigrants here now. Unless both sides of the aisle compromise on future protection of our borders and paths to citizenship for those already here, nothing will be accomplished. I agree citizenship through education presents the best opportunity for immigration reform and I hope that the future holds a more welcoming opinion regarding the matter.